SPECjAppServer2004 (Java Application Server)
is a multi-tier benchmark for measuring the performance of
Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) technology-based application
servers. SPECjAppServer2004 is an end-to-end application which
exercises all major J2EE technologies implemented by compliant
application servers as follows:

The web container, including servlets and JSPs

The EJB container

EJB2.0 Container Managed Persistence

JMS and Message Driven Beans

Transaction management

Database connectivity

Moreover, SPECjAppServer2004 also heavily exercises all parts of the
underlying infrastructure that make up the application environment,
including hardware, JVM software, database software, JDBC drivers, and
the system network.

11/23/2010 - SPECjAppServer2004 is being retired in favor of its
successor, SPECjEnterprise2010. New result
submissions will be accepted through November
30, 2010. After that time, no further submissions will
be accepted and the benchmark will be retired.

02/02/2007 - SPECjAppServer2004 has been updated to version 1.08. This version
introduces a new workload (EAStress) enabled by a special research run
mode, for use in research and development environments where it is not
possible or practical to abide by all of the run rules of the official
benchmark. For example, in an open source development environment, the
research mode may be used on a partially completed, and therefore
uncertified, application server and the results may be publicly
discussed in a developer's mailing list without being first reviewed by
SPEC. The research workload is intended exclusively for exploratory
research and development purposes and SPEC discourages its use for any
marketing collateral. Comparisons with SPECjAppServer2004 results are
not permitted. The original SPECjAppServer2004 workload remains
unchanged. For more information see the updated benchmark
documentation and the release notes.